Dynamic, parameterized image resource selection

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are directed to providing an image in response to a request for an image and to requesting an image for a specified context. In one scenario, a computer system stores multiple image representations of a corresponding visual asset identified by an identifier. The image representations include a vectorized representation of the visual asset and/or a rasterized representation of the visual asset. The computer system receives a request that includes an identifier for one of the visual assets and usage parameters. The computer system evaluates at least one of the usage parameters to identify an image representation of the identified visual asset that substantially corresponds with the usage parameters. The computer system then obtains the identified image representation of the corresponding visual asset based on the evaluation and provides the obtained image representation in response to the request.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/704,823 filed on May 5, 2015, entitled “DYNAMIC, PARAMETERIZED IMAGERESOURCE SELECTION,” which issued as U.S. Pat. No. ______ on ______, andwhich application is expressly incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Software applications or “apps” are ubiquitous in today's computingworld. These apps are installed on phones, tablets, wearable devices,televisions and other electronic devices. Each of these electronicdevices may be different in size and, as such, may have a widelydifferent display resolution. The same apps may be installed on manydifferent types of devices. To prepare for the differences in resolutionon different devices, apps typically come pre-loaded with different iconimages and other images. Then, depending on which device the app is tobe displayed on, the appropriate image size is selected from thepre-loaded images.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein are directed to providing an image inresponse to a request for an image and to requesting an image for aspecified context. In one embodiment, a computer system stores multipleimage representations of a corresponding visual asset identified by anidentifier. The image representations include a vectorizedrepresentation of the visual asset and/or a rasterized representation ofthe visual asset. Some of the image representations may also includeassociated usage metadata. The computer system receives a request thatincludes an identifier for one of the visual assets, and furtherincludes usage parameters. The computer system evaluates at least one ofthe usage parameters (potentially in conjunction with usage metadata) toidentify an image representation of the identified visual asset thatsubstantially corresponds with the usage parameters. The computer systemthen obtains the identified image representation of the correspondingvisual asset based on the evaluation and provides the obtained imagerepresentation in response to the request.

In another embodiment, a computer system requests an image for aspecified context. The computer system generates a request that includesan identifier for one of multiple visual assets. The request furtherincludes usage parameters indicating characteristics of an environmentin which the visual asset will be presented. The computer systemtransmits the generated request to an image providing service, where theimage providing service is configured to store multiple imagerepresentations of the corresponding visual asset identified by theidentifier. The image representations include a vectorizedrepresentation of the visual asset and/or a rasterized representation ofthe visual asset. Then, upon the imaging service identifying at leastone image representation of the corresponding visual asset thatsubstantially corresponds with the usage parameters, the computer systemreceives the identified image representation from the imaging service.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the descriptionwhich follows, and in part will be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art from the description, or may be learned by the practice of theteachings herein. Features and advantages of embodiments describedherein may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments andcombinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Featuresof the embodiments described herein will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other features of the embodimentsdescribed herein, a more particular description will be rendered byreference to the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only examples of the embodiments described herein andare therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. Theembodiments will be described and explained with additional specificityand detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer architecture in which embodimentsdescribed herein may operate including providing an image in response toa request for an image.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for providing animage in response to a request for an image.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for requesting animage for a specified context.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment that includes an image service whichreceives image requests and finds appropriate images using one or moreimage manifests.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment in which multiple users provide imagesthat are added to a pool of available images.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein are directed to providing an image inresponse to a request for an image and to requesting an image for aspecified context. In one embodiment, a computer system stores multipleimage representations of a corresponding visual asset identified by anidentifier. The image representations include a vectorizedrepresentation of the visual asset and/or a rasterized representation ofthe visual asset. Some of the image representations may also includeassociated usage metadata. The computer system receives a request thatincludes an identifier for one of the visual assets, and furtherincludes usage parameters. The computer system evaluates at least one ofthe usage parameters (potentially in conjunction with usage metadata) toidentify an image representation of the identified visual asset thatsubstantially corresponds with the usage parameters. The computer systemthen obtains the identified image representation of the correspondingvisual asset based on the evaluation and provides the obtained imagerepresentation in response to the request.

In another embodiment, a computer system requests an image for aspecified context. The computer system generates a request that includesan identifier for one of multiple visual assets. The request furtherincludes usage parameters indicating characteristics of an environmentin which the visual asset will be presented. The computer systemtransmits the generated request to an image providing service, where theimage providing service is configured to store multiple imagerepresentations of the corresponding visual asset identified by theidentifier. The image representations include a vectorizedrepresentation of the visual asset and/or a rasterized representation ofthe visual asset. Then, upon the imaging service identifying at leastone image representation of the corresponding visual asset thatsubstantially corresponds with the usage parameters, the computer systemreceives the identified image representation from the imaging service.

The following discussion now refers to a number of methods and methodacts that may be performed. It should be noted, that although the methodacts may be discussed in a certain order or illustrated in a flow chartas occurring in a particular order, no particular ordering isnecessarily required unless specifically stated, or required because anact is dependent on another act being completed prior to the act beingperformed.

Embodiments described herein may implement various types of computingsystems. These computing systems are now increasingly taking a widevariety of forms. Computing systems may, for example, be handhelddevices such as smartphones or feature phones, appliances, laptopcomputers, wearable devices, desktop computers, mainframes, distributedcomputing systems, or even devices that have not conventionally beenconsidered a computing system. In this description and in the claims,the term “computing system” is defined broadly as including any deviceor system (or combination thereof) that includes at least one physicaland tangible hardware processor, and a physical and tangible hardware orfirmware memory capable of having thereon computer-executableinstructions that may be executed by the processor. A computing systemmay be distributed over a network environment and may include multipleconstituent computing systems.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a computing system 101 typically includes atleast one processing unit 102 and memory 103. The memory 103 may bephysical system memory, which may be volatile, non-volatile, or somecombination of the two. The term “memory” may also be used herein torefer to non-volatile mass storage such as physical storage media orphysical storage devices. If the computing system is distributed, theprocessing, memory and/or storage capability may be distributed as well.

As used herein, the term “executable module” or “executable component”can refer to software objects, routines, or methods that may be executedon the computing system. The different components, modules, engines, andservices described herein may be implemented as objects or processesthat execute on the computing system (e.g., as separate threads).

In the description that follows, embodiments are described withreference to acts that are performed by one or more computing systems.If such acts are implemented in software, one or more processors of theassociated computing system that performs the act direct the operationof the computing system in response to having executedcomputer-executable instructions. For example, such computer-executableinstructions may be embodied on one or more computer-readable media orcomputer-readable hardware storage devices that form a computer programproduct. An example of such an operation involves the manipulation ofdata. The computer-executable instructions (and the manipulated data)may be stored in the memory 103 of the computing system 101. Computingsystem 101 may also contain communication channels that allow thecomputing system 101 to communicate with other message processors over awired or wireless network. Such communication channels may includehardware-based receivers, transmitters or transceivers, which areconfigured to receive data, transmit data or perform both.

Embodiments described herein may comprise or utilize a special-purposeor general-purpose computer system that includes computer hardware, suchas, for example, one or more processors and system memory, as discussedin greater detail below. The system memory may be included within theoverall memory 103. The system memory may also be referred to as “mainmemory”, and includes memory locations that are addressable by the atleast one processing unit 102 over a memory bus in which case theaddress location is asserted on the memory bus itself. System memory hasbeen traditionally volatile, but the principles described herein alsoapply in circumstances in which the system memory is partially, or evenfully, non-volatile.

Embodiments described herein also include physical and othercomputer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executableinstructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can beany available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computer system. Computer-readable media or storagedevices that store computer-executable instructions and/or datastructures are computer storage media or computer storage devices.Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructionsand/or data structures are transmission media. Thus, by way of example,and not limitation, embodiments described herein may comprise at leasttwo distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: computerstorage media and transmission media.

Computer storage media are physical hardware storage media that storecomputer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Physicalhardware storage media include computer hardware, such as RAM, ROM,EEPROM, solid state drives (“SSDs”), flash memory, phase-change memory(“PCM”), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other hardware storage device(s) which can beused to store program code in the form of computer-executableinstructions or data structures, which can be accessed and executed by ageneral-purpose or special-purpose computer system to implement thedisclosed functionality of the embodiments described herein. The datastructures may include primitive types (e.g. character, double,floating-point), composite types (e.g. array, record, union, etc.),abstract data types (e.g. container, list, set, stack, tree, etc.),hashes, graphs or other any other types of data structures.

Transmission media can include a network and/or data links which can beused to carry program code in the form of computer-executableinstructions or data structures, and which can be accessed by ageneral-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A “network” isdefined as one or more data links that enable the transport ofelectronic data between computer systems and/or modules and/or otherelectronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over anetwork or another communications connection (either hardwired,wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computersystem, the computer system may view the connection as transmissionmedia. Combinations of the above should also be included within thescope of computer-readable media.

Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program codein the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures canbe transferred automatically from transmission media to computer storagemedia (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions ordata structures received over a network or data link can be buffered inRAM within a network interface module (e.g., a “NIC”), and theneventually transferred to computer system RAM and/or to less volatilecomputer storage media at a computer system. Thus, it should beunderstood that computer storage media can be included in computersystem components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmissionmedia.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which, when executed at one or more processors, cause ageneral-purpose computer system, special-purpose computer system, orspecial-purpose processing device to perform a certain function or groupof functions. Computer-executable instructions may be, for example,binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, oreven source code.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the principles describedherein may be practiced in network computing environments with manytypes of computer system configurations, including, personal computers,desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-helddevices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, and thelike. The embodiments herein may also be practiced in distributed systemenvironments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked(either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by acombination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network,both perform tasks. As such, in a distributed system environment, acomputer system may include a plurality of constituent computer systems.In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the embodimentsherein may be practiced in a cloud computing environment. Cloudcomputing environments may be distributed, although this is notrequired. When distributed, cloud computing environments may bedistributed internationally within an organization and/or havecomponents possessed across multiple organizations. In this descriptionand the following claims, “cloud computing” is defined as a model forenabling on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurablecomputing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, andservices). The definition of “cloud computing” is not limited to any ofthe other numerous advantages that can be obtained from such a modelwhen properly deployed.

Still further, system architectures described herein can include aplurality of independent components that each contribute to thefunctionality of the system as a whole. This modularity allows forincreased flexibility when approaching issues of platform scalabilityand, to this end, provides a variety of advantages. System complexityand growth can be managed more easily through the use of smaller-scaleparts with limited functional scope. Platform fault tolerance isenhanced through the use of these loosely coupled modules. Individualcomponents can be grown incrementally as business needs dictate. Modulardevelopment also translates to decreased time to market for newfunctionality. New functionality can be added or subtracted withoutimpacting the core system.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer architecture 100 in which at least oneembodiment may be employed. Computer architecture 100 includes computersystem 101. Computer system 101 may be any type of local or distributedcomputer system, including a cloud computing system. The computer system101 includes modules for performing a variety of different functions.For instance, the communications module 104 may be configured tocommunicate with other computing systems. The communications module 104may include any wired or wireless communication means that can receiveand/or transmit data to or from other computing systems. Thecommunications module 104 may be configured to interact with databases,mobile computing devices (such as mobile phones or tablets), embedded orother types of computing systems.

The computer system further includes an image providing service 105. Theimage providing service may be configured to assist in selecting imagesfor display on displays with varying pixel densities. Indeed, manyapplications provided in application stores are available for smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, televisions and other devices. Assuch, the applications typically come with different images, only a fewof which are relevant to any given platform. For example, imagesdesigned for display on a wearable device will not look good whendisplayed on a television. Including all of the images for eachplatform, however, increases the overhead of the application. Stillfurther, some images may not look good when paired with certain themesor background images. For instance, some images may not be legible ormay not appear aesthetically pleasing when displayed against a light ordark background. Embodiments described herein identify images fordisplay on displays with varying pixel densities (e.g. standard, 4k,retina, high-DPI, etc.), varying application themes and differentcontrast levels, while maintaining a minimal download and runtimefootprint.

The image providing service 105 may be configured to perform a varietyof tasks including centralizing image handling for an application orgroup of applications. The image providing service 105 may be configuredto allow an application to select an appropriate image at runtime, storethose images in vector and/or raster images and render them on the fly,theme the images appropriately to match dark and light themes, and allowfor image concept overrides for special cases, such as accessible modes(e.g. high-contrast). In line with this, the image providing service 105may include multiple modules for performing different tasks. Forinstance, the evaluation module 107 may be configured to evaluate imagerequests as they are received. The image requests (e.g. 112) may bereceived from user 111, or may be received from an application or fromanother computer system. The request 112 may include an identifier 113and/or usage parameters 114. The identifier 113 may identify a specificimage or group of images, while the usage parameters may specify how theimage is to be used.

For example, an image request may come from user 111 or, morespecifically, from an application running on an electronic device thatthe user is using such as a smart phone, tablet, watch, television orother device. The request 112 may identify a specific image or icon thatis to be displayed in conjunction with or as part of the application.This image or icon is generally identified using identifier 113. Atleast in some cases, however, the identifier 113 may not directlyidentify a single image, but may identify a visual asset 117. The visualasset 117 may be a data structure that includes a plurality of differentimage representations 118.

These image representations 118 may be vectorized (119) or rasterized(120) representations of the visual asset 117. A vectorizedrepresentation may include any representation that uses or is based onvector graphics. Vector graphics may use mathematical equations ofgeometrical primitives such as lines, curves, points and shapes orpolygons to represent images. Examples of vector graphics formatsinclude SVG, EPS, and DXF. A rasterized representation may include anyrepresentation that is based on a grid of pixels or individual points ofcolor. Rasterized representations may be defined using a bitmap whereeach pixel is represented by one or more bits in memory. Examples ofraster graphics formats include JPEG, GIF and PNG.

Each representation 118 may be best suited for display in a certainenvironment (e.g. on a large display with a black background, or on amedium-sized display with a specified theme in place, or on a smalldisplay with at a specified contrast ratio). Accordingly, each visualasset may have one or many different image representations 118, each ofwhich may be retrieved and displayed based on the request 112.

The image providing service 105 may implement an evaluation module 107to determine, based on the identifier 113 and/or usage parameters 114provided in the request 112, which of the image representations 118 isbest suited for display. The image representation 108 identified by theevaluation module 107 is indicated to the image obtaining module 109which requests and receives the identified image representation 108.Once the image is obtained, the image providing module 110 may providethe actual image that was obtained (i.e. image 115) to the user or tothe user's electronic device.

At least in some embodiments, at runtime an application may use theidentifier 113 to request an image from a store or “catalog” of images(e.g. images 122 stored in data store 116). At runtime, the applicationmay submit usage parameters 114 when requesting the image. These usageparameters 114 may include, for example, screen dots per inch (DPI),application background color, an indication of whether high-contrastmode is selected, a desired target size, etc. At runtime, the imageservice 105 may then provide an image that best matches the requestparameters. Here it should be noted that, although shown as beingentirely within computer system 101, the image providing service 105 andits modules may be distributed over multiple computing systems. Theservice 105 may be a global application object or, at least in somecases, may be a local or distributed service.

When an application developer is creating or designing a softwareapplication (i.e. at “design time”), an application developer maycompose a catalog of images to use at runtime. The catalog may containmultiple resources for any one image concept (i.e. the catalog mayinclude multiple image representations 118 for any one visual asset117). Those resources can be stored in vector (119) or raster (120)form. For example, the resources may be stored in various file typesincluding scalable vector graphics (SVG), extensible application markuplanguage (XAML), portable network graphics (PNG), bitmaps or other filetypes. The resources may have usage metadata 121 that the imageproviding service may use when making its evaluation for a best-fitmatch when an image request is received.

Multiple catalogs can be published by any number of vendors, and otherusers may add their own images to these catalogs. An applicationdeveloper may be informed of the identifier of an image (e.g. globallyunique identifier (GUID)+DWORD (or data size) combination) to request animage. In such cases, the GUID may be any sequence of symbols includingnumbers and letters that uniquely identify the image, while the DWORDmay be an integer value that represents the size of the image. The imageproviding service 105 may be used in the context of a singleapplication, in the context of an entire computing system, or in thecontext of an online service for image discovery and rendering.Embodiments may also be applied to web-site and mobile developmentwithin an integrated development environment (IDE). These concepts willbe explained further below with regard to methods 200 and 300 of FIGS. 2and 3, respectively.

In view of the systems and architectures described above, methodologiesthat may be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matterwill be better appreciated with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 2and 3. For purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies areshown and described as a series of blocks. However, it should beunderstood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methodologies described hereinafter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method 200 for providing an image inresponse to a request for an image. The method 200 will now be describedwith frequent reference to the components and data of environment 100.

Method 200 includes, for each of a plurality of visual assets, eachhaving an identifier, performing the following against an unknown set ofvisual assets: storing a plurality of image representations of thecorresponding visual asset identified by the identifier, the pluralityof image representations including at least a vectorized representationof the visual asset or a rasterized representation of the visual asset(210). As shown in FIG. 1, a visual asset 117 may have an identifier113. The identifier may be unique to a single visual asset or, in somecases, may identify a group of visual assets. At least in some cases,the image representations may also include associated usage metadata121.

The visual asset 117 has one or more image representations 118associated with it. The image representations may be vectorizedrepresentations 119, rasterized representations 120 or other forms ofimage representations. The vectorized representations may include, forexample, SVG images, while the rasterized representations may includePNG or bitmap images. The image providing service 105 of computer system101 may search through an unknown set of visual assets for a givenvisual asset. The unknown set or catalog may include many differentvisual assets, some of which are provided by a developer, and some ofwhich may be provided by outside users. The image providing service 105may store one or more image representations 118 for each visual asset,the visual asset being identified by identifier 113. At least some ofthe image representations may include associated usage metadata 121. Theusage metadata may indicate scenarios, settings or even specificdisplays that it is designed to be displayed with.

For example, a visual asset may have a vectorized representation 120that is designed for use on large, high resolution displays such as 4kor 8k televisions. Additionally or alternatively, a visual asset mayhave a rasterized representation 120 that is intended for use on a muchsmaller display (such as a 16×16 image with low pixel density). Eitherof these intended uses may be captured in the usage metadata 121. Then,when the evaluation module 107 of the image providing service 105 isevaluating which image representations would best match a given request,it can look to the usage metadata for each of the image representationsto get a better idea of which representation will work best.

The usage metadata may include many different kinds of data includingcontrast settings, size, brightness settings and pixel densityinformation and other types of information that would be useful whendetermining whether a given image representation would be a good fit forcertain situations. For instance, a certain image may be well suited forpresentation on a certain display. In other situations, the usagemetadata may be used to identify a grayed out image to represent adisabled feature, or may be used to identify other features that may bedesirable in certain situations.

As mentioned above, the collection of image representations may be anextensible catalog of image representations. The extensible catalog ofimage representations may be added at runtime when the application isrun, and may be queryable by the application to determine which imagesshould be placed in which spots. As shown in FIG. 5, an extensiblecatalog or “pool” of images 501 may be provided by a data store. Eachimage 502 in the pool may include metadata 503 (e.g. metadata providedby a developer). Typically, the user in such cases would be a developeror author of a programmatic extension to the image providing service105, although this does not need to be the case. Th user may add images509 to the pool of images 501 by way of an image manifest, where eachnew image added (e.g. image 508) would include its own metadata 507.Indeed, a user such as developer 505 may provide input 506 that includesone or more images 508 that the user would like to add to the pool alongwith associated metadata 507. Any images uploaded by the developer 505may be accessible by other users including group of users 510.

In some embodiments, the identifier 113 in FIG. 1 associated with agiven visual asset may be a single identifier that represents multipleversions of that visual asset. In other words, the identifier 113 forvisual asset 117 may be a single identifier that identifies multipleimage representations 118. In such cases, the identifier 113 maps to thevisual asset 117 which itself includes a collection of associated imagerepresentations 118. Each image representation may have its own usagemetadata 121, and that usage metadata may be provided by users (e.g.developer 505 of FIG. 5). This metadata 121 may also be reusable forother visual assets. For instance, if a visual asset such as an icon hadmultiple image representations associated with it, the metadataassociated with those image representations 118 may be usable with othericons if those icons had similar display characteristics.

In cases where metadata is provided, the metadata may be associated withand used with the visual asset 117. As such, the usage metadata 503 maybe accessible when identifying appropriate visual assets. The set ofvisual assets is thereby extensible, allowing users such as developer505 to provide their own image representations and add those imagerepresentations to specified visual assets. In this manner, the imageproviding service 105 can collect and aggregate images and makes themavailable to customers as needed or as requested.

Returning to FIG. 2, method 200 includes receiving a request thatincludes an identifier for one of the plurality of visual assets, andthat includes one or more usage parameters (220). The request 112 fromuser 111 may be received by the communications module 104 of computersystem 101. The request 112 may include identifier 113 and usageparameters 114. The evaluation module 107 of computer system 101 mayevaluate the usage parameters 114 in conjunction with any associatedusage metadata 121 to identify at least one image representation of theidentified visual asset 117 that substantially corresponds with theusage parameters (230). The evaluation may take into account variouscharacteristics of the image representation and the way in which it isto be displayed (as indicated by the usage parameters). The evaluationmodule 107 may then determine which image representation 118 bestmatches or best corresponds with the usage parameters.

The image representation 108 identified at this stage is indicated tothe image obtaining module 109 which obtains the identified imagerepresentation of the corresponding visual asset based on the evaluation(240). The image providing module 110 then provides the identified image115 to the user 111 (i.e. to a specified electronic device controlled bythe user) in response to the request (250).

In some cases, the evaluation module 107 may determine that no visualasset substantially corresponds with (i.e. matches) the usageparameters. In such cases, the image providing service 105 may generatea visual asset 117 that substantially corresponds with the usageparameterization 114. For example, if the image providing service has animage collection 122 which contains several visual assets 117 forvarious DPI resolutions and backgrounds, but not one for a high contrastmode (or grayscale, etc.), the user can submit a request for a highcontrast (or grayscale) version and the image providing service 105would return a new asset by taking a best matched asset and passing itthrough a filter to meet the high contrast (or grayscale) requirement.The filter may include any type of imaging filter configured to refinean image according to one or more specified characteristics. Thefiltering functionality may be provided by the image providing service105, or may be provided by a third party library or program.

In this manner, the image providing service may generate imagesdynamically, at runtime to more appropriately reply to a request for avisual asset with a given set of usage parameters. In other cases,rasterized versions of requested vector images may be cached to disk.Then, when those images are subsequently requested, the rasterizedrepresentation that was stored to the cache may be retrieved and used,as opposed to regenerating the vector image each time.

In some cases, the received usage parameters 114 may include anindication of user interface (UI) background that is being displayed byan application, a web page, an operating system or other softwaremodule). As such, the identified image representation 108 identified bythe evaluation module 107 would substantially corresponds with or matchthe UI background in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and notdistracting. In some cases, the received request 112 may include awildcard parameter indicating that an appropriate image representationis to be identified for that parameter. The wildcard parameter may notindicate a specific setting or range for a given parameter, but mayrather indicate that the image providing service is to look at the otherusage parameters and find a setting for the wildcard parameter thatmatches or complements the other parameters. An image representationwould then be identified using the decided-upon parameter.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, an image manifest may be usedto provide links between image representations and actual imageresources on disk. For example, an image service 407 may look at animage's metadata to determine its usage parameters. Image reference 410,for instance may include two or more portions of metadata. Metadata 411Amay include a link 412A to Png or XAML file 417, and may indicate thatimage 417A supports themes and works best in a 16×16 display scenario.Metadata 411B, on the other hand, may include a link 412B to Png or XAMLfile 417B, and may indicate that image 417B is pre-inverted and is bestdisplayed in a 32×32 scenario.

Substantially any number of metadata portions may be added to a givenimage (as indicated by link 412N linking metadata 411N and Png or XAMLfile 417N). Moreover, substantially any number of images may bereferenced in the image manifest 409 (as shown by images 413, 414 and415N). Each portion of metadata may link to an actual resource on disk416. Although shown as Png/XAML files, it will be understood that thesemay be any types of vectorized or rasterized images, and it will befurther understood that the link in the metadata may point to a remotelocation such as a cloud data store.

Each image catalog or image pool may have a single manifest or multiplemanifests. Each manifest may reference many different images, orpossibly just a single image. Moreover, each manifest may storedeveloper-provided metadata or user-provided metadata for each imagereference 410. The manifest may indicate a vectorized representationand/or a rasterized representation for each visual asset. The imageservice 407 may implement a decision engine 408 to scale up thegenerated image using vectors based on current context. For example, arequest 404 coming from a smart phone 401, a personal computer 402 or atelevision 403 may include an identifier 405 and one or more usageparameters 406. The usage parameters may provide context indicating thesize of the display, its display density, contrast and brightnesssettings or other information that could help the decision engine 408 inmaking a determination as to which image on disk is the best fit for thegiven display device.

In some cases, the metadata format may be used to define an image listfrom a collection of other images in the metadata file. This may allow auser to request a collection of images in a single request. Forinstance, a user could provide a string of identifiers that werecombined together in a single request. In this manner, a user may beable to request multiple context-specific images at the same time usingthe same request 404.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a flowchart is provided of a method 300 forrequesting an image for a specified context. The method 300 will now bedescribed with frequent reference to the components and data ofenvironment 100.

Method 300 includes generating a request that includes an identifier forone of a plurality of visual assets, the request further including oneor more usage parameters indicating one or more characteristics of anenvironment in which the visual asset will be presented (310). Acomputing system implemented by user 111 may generate request 112 thatincludes an identifier 113 for a visual asset 117 and one or more usageparameters 114 that indicate characteristics of the display device onwhich the visual asset 117 will be displayed. The computing device maybe a smart phone, tablet, wearable device or other type of electronicdevice.

The computing device then transmits the generated request to an imageproviding service 105. The image providing service may be configured tostore multiple image representations 118 of the corresponding visualasset 117 identified by the identifier 113. The image representations118 may include a vectorized representation 119 of the visual asset or arasterized representation 120 of the visual asset (320). Then, upon theimaging service 105 identifying at least one image representation 118 ofthe corresponding visual asset 117 that substantially corresponds withthe usage parameters 114, the computing device receives the identifiedimage representation from the imaging service (330). The computingdevice may then display the received image representation on itsdisplay.

In some cases, the computing system may upload images to the imageproviding service (as generally shown in FIG. 5). As the images areuploaded from user 111 and other users, the image providing service 105may be configured to aggregate the images and provide the images toother users. Thus, the images 122 stored in the data store 116 may becontinually growing as users add images. Moreover, users may addmetadata to the existing images, indicating scenarios in which theparticular image representation is a good fit. In some cases, the imageproviding service 105 may make contextual adjustments to the receivedimage representation's metadata based on an environment in which thereceived image representation is to be displayed.

For example, if the image representation is to be displayed against adark or a light background, this may be indicated in the image'sassociated metadata. The image providing service 105 may supportmultiple different image rendering technologies including WinForms andHTML. This may allow a user to provide an indication of which renderingtechnologies are available on the computing device in the usageparameters 114. In cases where no image representation is determined tobe a good match based on the usage parameters, the image providingservice may be configured to use a vectorized representation as adefault. In other cases, if, for example, an appropriately sized imagecannot be found, the image providing service may attempt to scale up anexisting image. The final size of the image may be computed based on thepixel density of the display. This allow the same physical size to bemaintained on the screen. In this manner, users may provide a generalindication of which image to use, and the image providing service willselect the most appropriate version of that image to display on thedevice for which usage parameters were provided.

Claims support: In one embodiment, a method is described for providingan image in response to a request for an image. The method includes thefollowing: for each of a plurality of visual assets 117, each having anidentifier 113, performing the following against an unknown set ofvisual assets: storing a plurality of image representations 118 of thecorresponding visual asset identified by the identifier, the pluralityof image representations including at least a vectorized representation119 of the visual asset or a rasterized representation 120 of the visualasset, receiving a request 112 that includes an identifier 113 for oneof the plurality of visual assets, and that includes usage parameters114, evaluating at least one of the usage parameters to identify atleast one image representation of the identified visual asset thatsubstantially corresponds with the usage parameters, obtaining theidentified image representation 115 of the corresponding visual assetbased on the evaluation, and providing the obtained image representationin response to the request.

The method further includes determining that no visual assetsubstantially corresponds with the usage parameters and generating avisual asset that substantially corresponds with the usageparameterization. Usage metadata is evaluated in conjunction with theusage parameters to identify at least one image representation of theidentified visual asset that substantially corresponds with the usageparameters, where the usage metadata includes contrast, size, brightnessor pixel density. The received usage parameters includes an indicationof user interface (UI) background, such that the identified imagerepresentation of the corresponding visual asset substantiallycorresponds with the UI background. In some cases, the received requestincludes a wildcard parameter indicating that an appropriate imagerepresentation is to be identified for that parameter. The imagerepresentations also include an extensible catalog of imagerepresentations. The extensible catalog of image representations isadded at runtime and is queryable.

In another embodiment, a computer program product is provided forimplementing a method for requesting an image for a specified context.The computer program product includes computer-readable storage mediahaving stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, whenexecuted by one or more processors of a computing system, cause thecomputing system to perform the method, where the method includes:generating a request 112 that includes an identifier 113 for one of aplurality of visual assets 117, the request further including one ormore usage parameters 114 indicating one or more characteristics of anenvironment in which the visual asset will be presented, transmittingthe generated request to an image providing service 105, the imageproviding service being configured to store a plurality of imagerepresentations 118 of the corresponding visual asset identified by theidentifier, the plurality of image representations including at least avectorized representation 119 of the visual asset or a rasterizedrepresentation 120 of the visual asset and, upon the imaging serviceidentifying at least one image representation of the correspondingvisual asset that substantially corresponds with the usage parameters,receiving the identified image representation 115 from the imageproviding service.

The method further includes uploading images to the image providingservice, the image providing service being configured to aggregateimages and provide images from a plurality of users. The method alsoincludes making contextual adjustments to the received imagerepresentation's metadata based on an environment in which the receivedimage representation is to be displayed.

A computer system comprising the following: one or more processors, adata storing module 106 for storing a plurality of image representations118 of the corresponding visual asset 117 identified by the identifier113, the plurality of image representations including at least avectorized representation 119 of the visual asset or a rasterizedrepresentation 120 of the visual asset, a communications module 104 forreceiving a request 112 that includes an identifier 113 for one of theplurality of visual assets, and that includes one or more usageparameters 114, an evaluation module 107 for evaluating at least one ofthe one or more usage parameters to identify an image representation ofthe identified visual asset that substantially corresponds with theusage parameters, a determining module 408 for determining that novisual asset substantially corresponds with the usage parameters, agenerating module 109 for generating a visual asset that substantiallycorresponds with the usage parameterization, and an image providingmodule 110 for providing the generated image representation in responseto the request.

The computer system uses the metadata format to define an image listfrom a collection of other images in the metadata file, allowing a userto request a collection of images in a single request. A manifestindicates a vector format for each image size. A decision engine scalesup the generated image using vectors based on current context. Theunknown set of visual assets is extensible, allowing users to providetheir own image representations and add those image representations to aspecified visual asset.

Accordingly, methods, systems and computer program products are providedwhich provide an image in response to a request for an image. Moreover,methods, systems and computer program products are provided whichrequest an image for a specified context.

The concepts and features described herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from their spirit or descriptivecharacteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of thedisclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather thanby the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for generatingrequests for images having specified contexts, the method comprising: acomputing system that includes one or more processors generating arequest that includes an identifier for one of a plurality of visualassets, the request further including one or more usage parametersindicating one or more characteristics of an environment in which thevisual asset will be presented; the computing system transmitting thegenerated request to an image providing service, the image providingservice being configured to store a plurality of image representationsof the corresponding visual asset identified by the identifier, theplurality of image representations including at least a vectorizedrepresentation of the visual asset or a rasterized representation of thevisual asset; and the computing system, upon the imaging serviceidentifying at least one image representation of the correspondingvisual asset that substantially corresponds with the usage parameters,receiving the identified at least one image representation from theimage providing service.
 2. The method of claim 1, the method furthercomprising uploading one or more images to the image providing service,the image providing service being configured to aggregate images andprovide images from a plurality of users.
 3. The method of claim 1, themethod further comprising making one or more contextual adjustments tothe received image representation's metadata based on an environment inwhich the received image representation is to be displayed.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the image providing service supports aplurality of image rendering technologies.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein usage metadata is evaluated in conjunction with the one or moreusage parameters to identify the at least one image representation, theusage metadata comprising at least one of contrast, size, brightness andpixel density.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage parametersinclude an indication of user interface (UI) background, such that theidentified image representation of the corresponding visual assetsubstantially corresponds with the UI background.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the request includes at least one wildcard parameterindicating that an appropriate image representation is to be identifiedfor that parameter.
 8. A computer system comprising the following: oneor more processors; one or more computer-readable storage media havingstored thereon computer-executable instructions that are executable bythe one or more processors to cause the computing system to perform amethod for generating requests for images having specified contexts,wherein the method comprises: a computing system that includes one ormore processors generating a request that includes an identifier for oneof a plurality of visual assets, the request further including one ormore usage parameters indicating one or more characteristics of anenvironment in which the visual asset will be presented; the computingsystem transmitting the generated request to an image providing service,the image providing service being configured to store a plurality ofimage representations of the corresponding visual asset identified bythe identifier, the plurality of image representations including atleast a vectorized representation of the visual asset or a rasterizedrepresentation of the visual asset; and the computing system, upon theimaging service identifying at least one image representation of thecorresponding visual asset that substantially corresponds with the usageparameters, receiving the identified at least one image representationfrom the image providing service.
 9. The computer system of claim 8,wherein the method further comprises uploading one or more images to theimage providing service, the image providing service being configured toaggregate images and provide images from a plurality of users.
 10. Thecomputer system of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises makingone or more contextual adjustments to the received imagerepresentation's metadata based on an environment in which the receivedimage representation is to be displayed.
 11. The computer system ofclaim 8, wherein the image providing service supports a plurality ofimage rendering technologies.
 12. The computer system of claim 8,wherein usage metadata is evaluated in conjunction with the one or moreusage parameters to identify the at least one image representation, theusage metadata comprising at least one of contrast, size, brightness andpixel density.
 13. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the usageparameters include an indication of user interface (UI) background, suchthat the identified image representation of the corresponding visualasset substantially corresponds with the UI background.
 14. The computersystem of claim 8, wherein the request includes at least one wildcardparameter indicating that an appropriate image representation is to beidentified for that parameter.
 15. A computer program product comprisingone or more computer-readable storage media having stored thereoncomputer-executable instructions that are executable by the one or moreprocessors of a computing system to cause the computing system toperform a method for generating requests for images having specifiedcontexts, wherein the method comprising: a computing system thatincludes one or more processors generating a request that includes anidentifier for one of a plurality of visual assets, the request furtherincluding one or more usage parameters indicating one or morecharacteristics of an environment in which the visual asset will bepresented; the computing system transmitting the generated request to animage providing service, the image providing service being configured tostore a plurality of image representations of the corresponding visualasset identified by the identifier, the plurality of imagerepresentations including at least a vectorized representation of thevisual asset or a rasterized representation of the visual asset; and thecomputing system, upon the imaging service identifying at least oneimage representation of the corresponding visual asset thatsubstantially corresponds with the usage parameters, receiving theidentified at least one image representation from the image providingservice.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein themethod further comprises uploading one or more images to the imageproviding service, the image providing service being configured toaggregate images and provide images from a plurality of users.
 17. Thecomputer program product of claim 15, wherein the method furthercomprises making one or more contextual adjustments to the receivedimage representation's metadata based on an environment in which thereceived image representation is to be displayed.
 18. The computerprogram product of claim 15, wherein the image providing servicesupports a plurality of image rendering technologies.
 19. The computerprogram product of claim 15, wherein usage metadata is evaluated inconjunction with the one or more usage parameters to identify the atleast one image representation, the usage metadata comprising at leastone of contrast, size, brightness and pixel density.
 20. The computerprogram product of claim 15, wherein the usage parameters include anindication of user interface (UI) background, such that the identifiedimage representation of the corresponding visual asset substantiallycorresponds with the UI background.